Troup County GaArchives News.....Concert and Tableaux at West Point September 29 1861
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Southern Confederacy

SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY [ATLANTA, GA], September 29, 1861, p. 2, c. 2.

Concert and Tableaux at West Point.

                                                                               
                                 West Point, Ga.,             }
                                                                               
                                 September 22d, 1862.    }
                Messrs. Editors:  As we have no press in our little village, 
will you allow me the use of your columns as a medium of informing the public 
of what our liberal and patriotic citizens are doing for the cause of Southern 
independence.  On last Friday evening, the 20th inst., a Concert and Tableaux 
Vivants, were given for the benefit of our soldiers, by the "Ladies' Relief 
Society."  Mr. Croft kindly tendered his Hall to the ladies, gratuitously.  
The Concert opened with the Tableaux of the "Coronation of the Fairy Queen."  
Miss Mary W. Erwin had the honor of receiving, from the hands of a fair 
attendant, the rural crown; and gracefully acknowledging the homage of her 
little subjects, as they reclined around her throne.  The appearance of this 
Tableaux was quite charming; and, if scenes in fairy land seem but half as 
beautiful as this, it must, indeed, be a delightful land to inhabit.
                "The Confederate Wagon," sung by Miss McNeill, was much 
applauded.  "Old Cabin Home," sung by Misses Cherry and Harrington, was 
exquisitely sweet.  The rich tones of the singers' voices, mingling with the 
strains of a fine instrument, in the chorus, left an impression upon the 
hearts of the audience that will not soon wear away.
                "The Soldier's Dream," a Tableaux, was next performed.  The 
wearied soldier is represented as lying in the arms of balmy sleep, dreaming 
of a sweet home and loved ones left behind; or, perchance, with heart swelling 
with "the pomp and circumstance of glorious war."
                "The Female Auctioneer" was sung by Miss Ellis, with a clear 
and articulate voice.  This was followed by the National "Root Hog or Die," 
sung by Miss Cherry.  The words were suited to the times, and I think it would 
have affected "Uncle Abe" with a distressing attack of "dry grins," to have 
heard it.  Then came the little mocking bird of all, Miss Sue Sheppard, with 
the song of "Wake up in de mornin'," which produced roars of laughter.
                The Tableau, "Pocahontas and Captain Smith," was 
faultless.  "I forget the Gay World," by Misses Reed, Erwin, Harrington and 
Cherry, was a soft and pensive air.  "I should like to change my Name," was 
artlessly and sweetly sung.
                The Tableaux, "Bell of West Point, and Flower of the Family," 
was impatiently looked for; in fact, every one was in a breathless state of 
anxiety, to see the two beautiful "Misses" who would appear, in evident 
consciousness of their superior charms!  The audience breathed freely once 
more, as the curtain rose and displayed to their curious eyes a common brass 
bell(e) and a fine sack of Family Flour (Flower.)  It was universally thought 
to be a good "chaw."
                "Hear me Norma," played and sung by Miss Fanny Harris and Miss 
Sallie Reid, was perfectly magnificent, unsurpassed and unsurpassable.  The 
Marseillaise, sung by Miss Annie Erwin, was really soul-stirring.  The 
Tableaux of "Fuss in the Family," was quite ludicrous; and, no doubt, was as 
familiar as "household words" to some unfortunate individual, who had placed 
himself "outside" of too much of the "juice."--"Dixie's Land," by Misses 
Ellis, Sharp and Walker, was fine; and the class of little girls joining in 
the chorus, waving their small Confederate flags, made one's heart beat with 
proud emotion.  "The Ivy Green," by Miss Susan Cherry, was soft and 
plaintively sweet.  It was sung with the power of art.  Miss Fanny Harris, on 
the Piano, and Prof. _______ on the Flute, charmed the audience with the 
exquisite and intoxicating air of "Then you'll remember me."
                The performances closed with the "Confederate States," a 
Tableaux.  Each State had a representative, all of them together forming a 
semi-circle with their hands clasped.  In the centre [sic] stood Miss Sallie 
F. Reid, representing the Palmetto State, with a large Confederate flag in her 
hand.  It was certainly a brilliant galaxy of sisters.  South Carolina's 
representative, like herself, was prominent and peerless!
                The Concert was urged to a successful issue by the patriotic 
efforts of Mrs. Mary Erwin, and Miss Sallie Fannie Reid.  A cause supported, 
as ours is, by such ladies, can hardly fail to succeed; but heaven knows that 
when the ladies who support that cause are as tireless and self sacrificing as 
Miss Reid, and as indefatigable as Mrs. Erwin, it must be doubly sure of 
success.
                                                                               
                                 SPECTATOR.  



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